Hearing For Military Training Center In Ocotillo

Monday, December 13, 2010

City News Service

The Imperial County Board of Supervisors had scheduled a public hearing Monday on a proposed military training center in rural Ocotillo.

San Diego-based Wind Zero Inc. wants to build a $100 million, 944-acre military and law enforcement training center with shooting ranges, live fire training houses, a commercial race track, heliport and airstrip in the city east of San Diego near the Mexican border.

Proponents say the center will bring jobs and money. Law enforcement officers say it will help reduce the cost of training. El Centro police say it now costs about $38,000 to send one officer to Riverside County for police academy training.

Opponents say it will destroy the rural atmosphere of the desert community that is home to about 300 people.